File 3360/1916 Pt 1 'Persian correspondence (1916-17)' [‎192r] (388/804)

To be opened by any British officer and passed on.
Memorandum, dated Kerman, the 20th August 1916.
From— Major G. L. Farran, Commanding South Persia Rifles, Kerman,
To— Captain Waqstaff, South Persia Rifles (2nd Rajput Infantry).
1. With regard to the prisoners :—
I do not know what orders and counter-orders you may have had. Owing
to changes in the situation orders re the prisoners have had to be changed
several times. I have now definite orders from General Sykes that the prisoners
are to be sent down to Bunder Abbas, if it can be safely managed and not
brought into Kerman.
These orders cancel any previous orders you may have receiyed.
The prisoners are reported to have left Sirjan for Baft under a Persian
escort on the 16th instant. This report is unconfirmed, I have sent an
officer, Captain Merrill, to Sirjan to ascertain if the prisoners have left and
if not to take them at once to Baft. You will in this ease not have to proceed
to Sirjan, as I understand were your original orders. Captain Merrill should
reach Sirjan about the 23rd or 24th August.
On meeting the prisoners at Baft or elsewhere on the road you will take
them over and have them escorted to Bunder Abbas by the 108th Infantry.
Again I do not know what orders you have, but you must use your own
discretion as to whether you accompany the prisoners yourself or not. The
escort must of course be under a British officer and it would be advisable if a
second accompanied it.
You must be guided by the local situation as to whether you stick to the
main road or make any detour. Bands of Baharlu robbers are said to be
infesting the road between Baft and Daulatabad. All military precautions
must be strictly observed. The prisoners should be warned that they will be
shot if they attempt to escape or their rescue is inevitable.
2. After starting the prisoners off for Bunder Abbas the remainder of the
reinforcements should push on to Kerman without delay.
(4)
Memorandum dated Kerman, the 22nd August 1916.
From— Major G. L. Farran, Commanding, South Persia Rifles, Kerman,
To—The Officers Commanding Columns, Bunder Abbas-Kerman Road.
I enclose a copy of instructions sent to you on 20 th August in case they
did not reach you.
Since sending them off I have received the attached telegram through
His Britannic Majesty’s Consul here.
I am doubtful if this can reach you in time to be of any good, but if it
should, leading columns should halt at Daulatabad until third column joins
up. The whole should then move together to Baft with all military precau
tions.
You must in any case use your own discretion as it is impossible to give
you definite orders from here, owing to uncertainty of information and the
time it takes to communicate with you.
The prisoners should not be brought back to Kerman unless you find it
the only possible safe course.
Telegram No. 121, dated (and received) the 21st August 1916.
From—Mr. Howson, Bunder Abbas,
To —Major Lorimer, Kerman.
(Repeated Cox, Basrah, Trevor, Bushire.)
Wither’s informer reports that on the 18th, 250 Baharlu mostly sowars
were seen going from Siahu and Tangi-i-Zagh. Their intention being to attack